It's almost Valentine's Day, so we'd like to take a look back and appreciate the many kinds of romance we see in Korean Dramas. Part 1 of this list was posted on Tuesday.
The Secret Couple
If you've watched any drama in the past few years, you've probably noticed a common theme among most of the couples: one of the characters must protect the other's hidden, dark secret. We're all familiar with the popular story of a girl pretending to be a boy, followed in You're Beautiful, To the Beautiful you, Coffee Prince, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and K-Pop Extreme Survival. But this theme takes a new turn in Flower Boy Next Door, where Enrique Geum protects the secret of his new neighbor's peeping tom behavior. You can see him catch her spying in Episode 1, below. The "Secret Couple" (unfortunately) never seems to include the sweet, understanding soul who discovers the secret first. All we can hope for is that the second-lead actor gets the girl in another show, like Jung Yong Hwa in Heartstrings.
The Fantasy Couple
Much like the Secret Couple, the Fantasy Couple also has something to hide from the world. But this time, the secret is so bizarre that even most friends would laugh and throw both characters into a mental hospital if they found out. Actress Shin Min Ah enjoys playing supernatural characters, like a ghost in Arang & the Magistrate and a flesh-eating fox spirit in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Body-swapping dramas, like Big and Ohlala Couple, force characters into extremely close contact, especially with someone they're trying to escape from. Finally, the time-traveling Yi Gak in Rooftop Prince becomes his co-star's top responsibility upon his arrival from the Joseon Dynasty. That's one secret I'd love to keep in my attic!
The Contract Couple
This could be called the extreme version of the Office Couple, because the relationship starts as nothing but a business transaction. Who in their right mind would enter into any kind of binding contract with a hot-headed, deceitful, and controlling man? Just ask stylist Jang Man Ok in Full House Take 2, or pastry chef Kim Sam Soon. They might not admit it at first, but Hyun Bin and No Min Woo's hot characters were an offer they just couldn't refuse! Turn the tables on this scenario, and watch Yoon Eun Hye spread rumors about being married to a reluctant Kang Ji Hwan in Lie to Me.
These couples are anything but ordinary, but which one keeps you guessing week after week?
Licensing Regions: Heartstrings, K-Pop Extreme Survival, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, and You're Beautiful are available worldwide except in select countries. Coffee Prince, My Name is Kim Sam-Soon are available in Africa, the Middle East, and North America. To the Beautiful You, Rooftop Prince, Ohlala Couple, Big, and Lie to Me are available in the Americas. Sungkyunkwan Scandal is available in North America.
The Secret Couple
If you've watched any drama in the past few years, you've probably noticed a common theme among most of the couples: one of the characters must protect the other's hidden, dark secret. We're all familiar with the popular story of a girl pretending to be a boy, followed in You're Beautiful, To the Beautiful you, Coffee Prince, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and K-Pop Extreme Survival. But this theme takes a new turn in Flower Boy Next Door, where Enrique Geum protects the secret of his new neighbor's peeping tom behavior. You can see him catch her spying in Episode 1, below. The "Secret Couple" (unfortunately) never seems to include the sweet, understanding soul who discovers the secret first. All we can hope for is that the second-lead actor gets the girl in another show, like Jung Yong Hwa in Heartstrings.
The Fantasy Couple
Much like the Secret Couple, the Fantasy Couple also has something to hide from the world. But this time, the secret is so bizarre that even most friends would laugh and throw both characters into a mental hospital if they found out. Actress Shin Min Ah enjoys playing supernatural characters, like a ghost in Arang & the Magistrate and a flesh-eating fox spirit in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Body-swapping dramas, like Big and Ohlala Couple, force characters into extremely close contact, especially with someone they're trying to escape from. Finally, the time-traveling Yi Gak in Rooftop Prince becomes his co-star's top responsibility upon his arrival from the Joseon Dynasty. That's one secret I'd love to keep in my attic!
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| You'd be awkward too if your girlfriend were a "Gumiho"! |
The Contract Couple
This could be called the extreme version of the Office Couple, because the relationship starts as nothing but a business transaction. Who in their right mind would enter into any kind of binding contract with a hot-headed, deceitful, and controlling man? Just ask stylist Jang Man Ok in Full House Take 2, or pastry chef Kim Sam Soon. They might not admit it at first, but Hyun Bin and No Min Woo's hot characters were an offer they just couldn't refuse! Turn the tables on this scenario, and watch Yoon Eun Hye spread rumors about being married to a reluctant Kang Ji Hwan in Lie to Me.
These couples are anything but ordinary, but which one keeps you guessing week after week?
Licensing Regions: Heartstrings, K-Pop Extreme Survival, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, and You're Beautiful are available worldwide except in select countries. Coffee Prince, My Name is Kim Sam-Soon are available in Africa, the Middle East, and North America. To the Beautiful You, Rooftop Prince, Ohlala Couple, Big, and Lie to Me are available in the Americas. Sungkyunkwan Scandal is available in North America.